The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has been ranked 2nd best in Nigeria and 161st globally in the newly released 2026 Global Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) conducted by Times Higher Education (THE).
The ISR is a prestigious component of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings ecosystem, which assesses how effectively universities integrate multiple scientific disciplines to address complex global challenges. In the 2026 edition, 911 global universities were evaluated, making UNN’s performance both outstanding and inspiring.
According to THE, the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings measure institutional capacity across three key pillars: Inputs, Process, and Output. The input measures institutional support, infrastructure, and funding for interdisciplinary research; the process looks into structures and policies that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, while the outputs, assesses research publications, citations, global reputation, and measurable scientific impact.
The ISR recognition comes just few months after the Stanford-Elsevier Scientists Ranking listed 19 scholars from the University of Nigeria among the world’s top 2% of scientists in 2025. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Professor Simon Ortuanya, described the latest ranking as a strong indication of the university’s renewed focus on transformative research and academic excellence.
“The ranking highlights our expanding capacity to produce research that draws from science, engineering, humanities, health sciences, environment, agriculture, and emerging technologies to address societal challenges,” he said.
Professor Ortuanya praised the dedication of staff across the university, noting that the ISR result reflects UNN’s commitment to global competitiveness and its alignment with modern research trends that prioritize collaboration across disciplines.
In his inaugural speech to staff of the university in August, the Vice-Chancellor declared his ambition to make the University of Nigeria the best-ranked university in Africa and one of the top institutions globally.
“The latest achievements strongly reinforce the vision of the Vice-Chancellor”, said Prof. Anthony Amaechi Attama, the Director of Academic Planning of the University of Nigeria.
